Hat flanging apparatus



April 18, 1933.

S. J. MILLER HAT FLANGING APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY April 18, 1933. s. 1 M|| ER I 1,903,872

HAT FLANGING APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 l VENTO? gi l l' Z s' ATTORNEY April 18, 1933.

Filed May 3, 1929 S. J. MILLER HAT FLANGING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 l VEETQR Y W7-lati,

ATTORNEY April 18, 1933. S J, MlLLER 1,903,872

HAT FLANGING' APPARATUS Filed'May `5, 1929 @Sheets-sheet 4 M ATTORNEY April 18, 1933. s; J. MILLER 1,903,872

HAT FLANGING APPARATUS Filed May 3, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 18, 1933.

S. J. MILLER HAT FLANGING APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 f INVE TQRv 79,1 L "5 Patented Apr. 18, 1933 UNITE@ STATES STEPHENJ. MILLER, F DANBURY, CONNECTICUT HAT FLANGING APPARATUS Application'led MayV S, 1929. Serial No. 360,075.

This inventionV relates to hat anging ma chines. i Y

One of the objects thereof is to provide a hat flanging machine adaptedto operate upon the brim of'a hat, eficiently and determinately, to give to said brim itsfinal shape in conformity with the style of the flanging block employed therefor. Another-object is to provide a brim flanging machine of practical constructionand eflicient yactien'adapted completelyto flange a hat Vin fa single operation. Another object is'to provide such a machine which is conveniently .operated and readily adapted to varying Asizes, and i shapes of hats. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will be pointed out in the following description and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of' various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a cross section taken longitudinally through my flanging machine, showing the upper Hanging iron in cross section in its initial forward position upon the brim of a hat, at which time the weight arm will be thrown to position A. l

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine, showing the parts in the position they will assume ata more advanced-stage in the travu erse of the Hanging mechanism; 1

Fig. 3 is a view taken on linel 8 3 of Fig. 1, showing certain parts in cross section;

Fig. 4 is a view 'taken on line 4-4of Fig.

a 1, showing theppulley shaft in cross section;

5 is a cross section taken on line V5---5 ofFig.1;A W y Fig. 6 is across sectionrtaken on line 6 6 of Fig.1; i i

Fig. 7 is a top plan view; v

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9` is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 1; Y Fig. 10 is a section on line 10*10 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a-sectional View of a lmodified form of lower flangingiron;

Fig. 12 is a front elevation of said modification; V l f Fig. 13 is 5a section taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is a rear elevation of the lower 55 flanging iron, as shown in Fig. 1;

Figfl is a section on line 154-15 of Fig. 14; i

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the lower langing Y iron, showing the shoe. and body detached;

Fig. 17 isan end elevation of the shoe;

Fig. l18 is a cross section taken on line 18-18 of Fig. 16, showing the parts assembled and the shoe in end elevation; and

Fig. 19 is a side elevation of the iron hold- 65 ing mechanism and table support therefor, showing the relative position of the parts at a time when the iron has nearly completed its traverse of the hat brim. Y Y y x Eimilar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the views of the drawings.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings in detail, there is shown a frame 10, and y mounted thereon an upright bearing 11, in which is rotatably supported a vertical shaft 12, having formed integral therewith at its upper end a cam plate 13, provided with a downwardly turned wall 14. This wall has p uniformly spaced inner and outer camming V surfaces, and has a `peripheral outline designed in. substantial conformity with the oFval sh ape of the head opening of'a hat (see ShaftflQ is slowly rotated through the engagement of a bevel gear 15, rigidly mounted Y at its lower end, beneath the bearing 11, with a bevel pinion 17, rigidly mounted at one end of ahorizontal shaft 18. Theshaft 18 is rotatably supported in two lugs' 19 and 20 de- 90 pendingfrom the frame 10. Thehub of the pinionV 17 abuts against one side of the lug 19, while the other side of the lug is engaged by a collar QliiXed upon the shaft 18.V 'Thus 4 the shaft 18 is held against endwisemove- 95 ment. Shaftr 18 receives its motion `from y drive pulley 22 through a clutch mechanism, which will be llater described. v

Interposed between bearing llrandv cam 13is a pinion23, rigidly mounted on shaft 100 12, to be driven thereby, the function of which will be later described.

A block or flange supporting drum 24 is mounted upon the cam member 13 and fastened there by bolts 25. Drum 24 comprises upstanding cylindrical walls 26 and an upper laterally extending flange 27, shaped as shown in Fig. 13, upon which the hat flanging block 31 rests. rlhe wall 26 is preferably formed with openings therethrough, as shown at 29 in Fig. 10. These save material and make the drum lighter.

Referring to Fig. 10, it will be seen that the flange 27 supports a hat flanging block 31. Hat flanges are commonly used with various types of flanging machines and hand devices to support hats which are to have their brims pressed to their ultimate shape or style, and are constructed with a central oval opening 28 into which the hat crown fits, with the brim overlying the top of the flange. The iange is formed with a peripheral edge at the top corresponding with the shape desired to be given to the finished hat in cases where the hat brim is to b-e curled, as shown at 32, and is further made with avariable concavo-convex upper surface 33 adapted to produce the proper scope.

In carrying out my invention, a hat 34 is fitted to such a block before the latter is placed in the machine. In fitting, the edge of the brim is bent down over the edge of the block, a covering of fabric material 36 is spread over all and stretched down over the edge of the block. It is then drawn tightly into contact with a peripheral groovew 37 formed in the block 31 by means of a cord 38, holding the hat brim firmly in place, with its brim curled to conform to the block. Before placing on the machine, the hat grim is softened by steaming. The flanging block is provided with oppositely disposed openings 39 extending upwardly into the body thereof from its lower surface. Then the block is set upon the supporting drum 24, these openings fit loosely over positioning pins or pin levers 40 which are pivoted, as at 41, in brackets 42 provided on the periphery of the said drum. Beneath the pivots the pins 40 are provided with downward extensions 43. Pockets 44 positioned in the inne-r sides of the pin extensions form seats for springs 45 interposed between said extensions and plates 46 secured upon the inner surface of the wall 26 and bridging narrow openings 47 formed in said walls, and through which the springs pass. hese springs normally hold the heads of the pins 40 in toward the axis of the drum, in which position they are readily received within the openings 39 in the hat flange as the latter is placed on the support.

At 48 is shown a hand wheel supported with an annular portion thereof 48. rotatably seated between the upper surface of the cam member 13 and the bottom of the drum 24.

The hand wheel is provided with a pair of upwardly extending segmental flanges 49, see Figs. 1, 10 and 13, concentrically surrounding a portion of the walls 26. Each of these flanges is provided with leaf springs 35 extending beyond an end thereof. The hand wheel may be turned about the axis of the block support in one direction until the springless ends of the flanges 49 engage respectively the pin extensions 43. This is their inoperative position. After the hat block has been set over the pins, the hand wheel is revolved in the opposite direction, causing the springs 35 to ride over the pin extensions 43 to force them inwardly toward the axis of the support, against the resistances of springs 45. rllhe pins are thus thrown outwardly to engage firmly against the walls of the openings with such force as to reliably hold the hat block in position. The movement of the hand wheel in the latter direction is also limited by the engagement of the ends of the segments with the pin extensions.

Before proceeding further with the detailed description of my machine, the opel'- ation which it is designed to perform should be clearly understood. @ne of the last operations performed on a felt hat is known as Hanging. Its object is to press the brim to the final form which it is to assume in the finished hat and to permanently set the brim in that form. It has long been the established practice to accomplish this by placing the hat in a Hanging block or flange of the desired size and shape, drawing the brim of the hat down tightly across and, in some cases, over the edge of the flange, and holding it in such position by covering the whole base of the hat, including head opening and brim, with a piece of flannel, which is stretched tightly over the edge of the hat flange and secured in place by means of a cord passed about a groove or channel formed in the flange for this purpose. The brim of the hat is then softened by steaming, when hat and block are placed in a machine adapted to receive it with the bottom of the hat upturned. A heavy bag of heated sand is then lowered down upon the brim, when it is left to dry out. der pressure so that when removed from the machine and block, it retains the desired form. It should here be noted, however', that by this old method, pressure is applied only to the bottom of the brim. When hats are to be flanged with curled or turned brims, in order to set the turned-over portions thereof, heated irons are applied thereto by hand, producing more or less satisfactory results, but at a considerable expenditure of labor.

It is one of the outstanding features of my invention that this manual stage in the process of flanging is done away with, by the use of the appartus, in which the entire flanging operation is carried out in a single oper- In this way, the brim is dried out unation, which includes pressingwith a heated iron that portion of the brim which overlies the flanging block, and simultaneously .pressing with another iron that part of the brim which is turned over and under Vthe periphery of the flange. Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 7 and19,-an upper .flanging iron is shown at 50, and a lower flanging iron at 51. Iron 50 is freely pivoted, as at 52- and 53- (Fig. 7), between the arms 54 and 55' (Fig. 7) of a clevis having a cross member 56. Beyond the pivots 52 and 53 the -raised so as to ride uponthe arms 54 and 55 are'extended upwardly atan angle, as shown at 57 and 58 in' Fig. l3, and between the upper ends of these extensions is pivoted'a shaft 59 (Fig. 7), having fixedsubstantially at the middle thereof a weight arm 60. Fixed at the ends of shaft 59 are a pair of cranks 61 and 62 (Fig. 3), extending genj erally in a direction opposite to thatof the weight arm 60. A link 63 is pivoted adjacent the end of the crank 61, and a corresponding link 64 is pivoted adjacent the end of the crank 62 as most clearly shown in Fig. 3. These links extend downwardly7 and adjacent their lower ends are bent'forwardly. Be-

tween these forwardly .turned'ends is journaled the lower -flanging iron 51 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3);

Abiitment members 67 and 68, formed upon the cranks 61 and 62, are adapted to engage the under sides of the links'63 and 64 (Figs. 3 and 7) to swing` them rearwardly to the position shown in Fig. 19, when the `weight arm is thrown forward to' occupy the position C, shown in the same figure, and in dottedV outline in Fig. 1. The weight arm is locked in its position C against rearward rotation by the engagement of a lingerr69 (Fig. 3) of the trigger 7 O with the cutawayradial edge 71 .(Fig. 2) of a segmental abutment 72 formed Upon the journalend portion of the arm'58 (see Figs. 2 and 3.) Trigger 70 is pivoted at 73 (Fig. 3) tothe weight arm G0 and is movably held outwardly therefrom by the spring 74. When the trigger is pressed toward the weight arm, the linger 69 is periphery Vof segment72. I y

Turning to Fig. 7, at the center of the'cross member 5G of the clev-is, there may be seen a hub or boss 75 formed upon the rear side of the cross arm; This hub engages the forward end of a sleeve 7 6, which forms a bearing for a shaft 77, formed as an integral part of the clevis, and extending rearwardly therefrom. Sleeve 76 is formed at the upper end of Va. swinging arm 78 Fig. 1'), which is itself pivotedV at its lower end to the "bracket 79 by means of the pin 80 having at one end a-head 81 (Fig. V7), and threaded at its opvposite end to receivea4 nut 82. The bracket 79 is'secured to a movable carriage 83V (Figs. Land 2) by machine screws 84 (Fig. 7).

To the .rear end Aof shaft 77-is secured a collarl 85 (Fig. 2) provided with a pair of spaced legs'86 adapted to engage upon either side Vof the :swinging arm 78, to limit the pivotal movement of the olevis about the axis of shaft 77 and sleeve 7 6.-

The swinging arm is limited in its rearwardnioveinent about the pin 80 by the engagement of a projection 87 formed upon its lower end with a part of the arm 78, as'may beA seen Lby reference to position VD of said parts, as illustrated in broken lines in Fig. l. An abutmentv 88, provided upon the 'under side of the swingingV arm, engages a fixed abutment 89 (Figs. 1 and 2) raised upwardly from the carriage 83, when the latter' has moved far enough to the left, as seen in the figures, toV cause the iron to fall over. the edge of the hat brim. Likewise, the weight arm is prevented from falling forward beyond va certain point by the rearward en- Before continuing with the detailed de- Vscription of myvinvention, it should be said here that the motion of the Hanging irons relative to the axis of the hat block is the resultant of Itwo distinct movements. The first of these movements is reciprocatory toward and away from the hat axis in order that the irons may continuously follow the oval of the hat and at the same time bear against the hat with a substantially uniform pressure, whether the point of contact be at an extremity of the long diameter of the oval, oi at an extremity of the short diameter, or at some'point therebetween.

VThe 4second movement of the irons is a traversing' movement of the upper iron across the brim of the hat'froni its Vinner edge to its extreme outer edge, during the greater portion of which travel of the upper iron, the lower `iron is drawn upwardly and outwardly to engage the brim of the hat, where it underlies the peripheral flange of the hat flanging block. i

The manner of mounting the iron swinging arm inorder to impart to it the movements described, will now be explained. The carriage 83 is rigidly mounted, as shown in Figs. 1,2, 3, 4 and 6', upon apair of rods 90, which are slidably supported in bearing lugs 91, forming a part of andrising above a movable table 92. Table 92 is slidably supported by means of downwardly extending slide bearings 93 upona pair of-guide rods 94, whichare rigidly mounted, as shown, in pillow blocks95 and 96, secured uponthe frame 10. Thus the carriage 83/is mounted for reciprocal movement forward and back with respectv to table 92, and the latter is similarly mounted with respect to the frame 1, 3, 5, 6 and 8. The screw has a shoulder, as at 98 (Fig. 1), which bears against the forward face of the rear bearing member 93. A collar 99 is pinned to the rear end of said screw, and a thrust bearing 100 is interposed between said collar and the rear fa-ce of bearing member 93. Thus the screw is held immovable longitudinally with respect to table 92. At its forward end, said screw is provided with a squared extension 101 having a sliding fit within a similarly shaped axial opening extending through the hub 102 of a bevel gear 103. This gear has its bearing in the pillow block 96 of the frame 10 and is held against relative longitudinal movement by means of a collar 104. It meshes with the bevel gear 23 which rotates with the vertical shaft 12 as hereinbefore described.

At 105 (Figs. 1 and 2) is shown a vertical bearing member formed upon the carriage 83, in which is slidably mounted for up and down movement a short rod or stud 106 carrying at its lower end a half nut 107, designed to mesh with the threads of the feed screw 97, and to travel forward or back thereon when the screw is turned in the appropriate direction by its associated gearing. At its upper end the stud 106 is slotted, as shown in Fig. 1, to receive the inner end of a lever 108, pivoted at 109 (see Figs. 3 and 7), between a pair of lugs 11() formed upon carriage 83. A pin 111 (Fig. 1) passing through a sleeve 112 and the upper end of stud 106, serves to raise the nut 107 out of engagement with screw 97 when the outer end of lever 108 is manually depressed. When this is done, the carriage 83 may be freely moved relative to the table 92. A handle 113 projecting laterally from the side of the carriage (see Fig. 3) is so placed as readily to be grasped, together with the lever 108, in the hand of the machine operator, simultaneously to release the nut from the feed screw and move the carriage either forwardly or rearwardly upon the table 92. When the lever 108 is released, the part-s return by reason of their own weight to place the nut and feed screw in interlocking relation. Through the above-described mechanism, the upper iron is made to traverse the brim of the slowly turning hat.

In order to accomplish the reciprocatory movement of the traversing mechanism to accommodate the position of the Hanging iron to the oval shape of the hat brim, a bracket 114 is formed upon or fastened to the forward end of the table 92 (Figs. 1 and 2). This bracket has rotatably mounted thereon a pair of cam rollers 115 and 116 disposed in a position closely to engage between their peripheries the downwardly extending wall 14 of the cam member 13.

Accordingly, upon rotation of cam 13 by way of shaft 11, rollers 115 and 116, following the contour of cam 13, reciprocate table 92, by way of bracket 114, forwardly and rearwardly, preferably twice in 4each direction during each revolution of the cam member. As pointed out above, shaft 97 is secured to table 92 against relative motion with respect to the table but is slidably connected to stationary bevel gear 103 so that it reciprocates with table 92. Stud 106 and nut 107 form a direct connection between shaft 97 and carriage 83, but, when cam 13 is rotating, shaft 97 is likewise rotating so that stud 106 and carriage 83 are fed in a left hand direction. Therefore, while rolls 114 and 115 coact with cam 13 during the rotation of the hat block to impart reciprocatory motion to carriage 83 and consequently iron 50 so that the iron may follow the contour of the brim of the hat, stud 106 gradually feeds carriage 83 in a left hand direction (Figure 1) toward the edge of the hat until the parts reach the position shown in Figure The clutch mechanism for engaging and disengaging the drive pulley 22 with the shaft 18 will now be described. The pulley is rotatably mounted on said shaft and has limited movement longitudinally thereof between a movable collar 117 and a fixed collar 118. The latter is provided with a forwardly extending lug 119 adapted to engage a rearwardly extending lug 120 formed upon the hub of the pulley and, when so engaged, to rotate the shaft 18, when the pulley is turned. No means is shown in the drawings for rotating the pulley, but it will be understood that this may be accomplished by means of belting to any suitable source of power. A spring 121, interposed between the fixed collar and pulley, normally hold them out of operative engagement one with the other, when the movable collar 117 is oscillated to such a position as to permit the registration of a cam projection 122 formed upon the forward face thereof with a recess 123 provided in the rear surface of the bearing member 20.

This oscillation is performed by the engagement with a pin 124 (Figs. 1 and 7) secured to extend outwardly in a radial direction from the surface of the collar 117, of the lower laterally extending crank arm 125 of the crank shaft 126, journaled in the vertical bearing 127 provided upon the frame 10. At its upper end, the said crank shaft carries an offset crank arm 128 adapted to be thrown. when the carriage 83 is in its rearmost position, by contact with a bolt or other abutment 129, projecting downwardly from said carriage adjacent the rear end thereof. When thus thrown, the collar 117 is turned to cause the registry of parts 122 and 123, when the collar 117 moves to the right and the clutch parts 119 and 120, becoming disengaged, the pulley runs idly upon the shaft 18, at which time allmovements of the apparatus cease. To restart the machine, the carriage 83 is moved forward by the operator in the manner hereinbefore described, after which, he resets the collar by turning it by means of the handle 130 (Fig. 4'), provided for that 4 purpose, until the cam projection 122A rides out ofthe recess 123 to the position shown in the drawings, when the clutch parts re-engage to drive the shaft 18, and thereby set in motion aliof the driven parts coupled therewith.

The upper flanging iron is liournale'd be! tween vthe yoke arms bymeans of the solid bolt 131 and the hollow bolt 132 (see Fig.`

- with a suitable source of electric energy. In

form, the iron 50 is substantially rectangular, and the pivotal parts are in line with its transverse axis. At 136 (Fig. 1), I show some of the metal removed from its front face,`producing a cavity therein. This serves to lighten that part of theiron forwardly of the pivots so thatthe rear portion of the iron may the more readily follow the downward slope of the brim as its edge isapproached. Also, the bottom face of the iron is made somewhat convex in order the more readily to conform tothe scope o-f the rotating hat upon which it rests when in operation.

By reference to Figs. 14 to 18, it will be seen that the lower Hanging iron 51y comprises` a solid body portion 137, a detachable shoe 138, a semi-cylindrical cover plate 139, and a heating unit 140.

The heating unit may be an electric heater similar to that usedin the upper iron, held in place against the baclr of the body portion 137 by means of the c-over plate 139. The lat-ter is fastened to the body bymeans of screws 141. The body portion 137, best seen in Fig. 16, is provided with a projecting part n 142, recessed as at 143 to receive a tenen 144 formed at an end-of the shoe 138. To assemble the shoe upon the body portion, the'tenon 144 is first entered within the recess 143, after which the two parts are pressed together, until their corresponding faces meet. The connection is then made fast by means of a thumb screw 145 threaded into the part 137 and adapted to take into the threaded hole 146 provided for that purpose in the shoe. An upstanding part 147 takes-over the end of the shoe more securely to hold it in place.

Upon either side of the iron body 137 are trunnion members 148, against the end surfaces of which the linksl63 and 64 are pivotally secured by means of bolts `149 (see Fig. 9).-

Figs. l1 and 12 illustrate a modified form of shoe having a curved fin 150 projecting outwardly from the upper surface of the shoe.V This form of shoe is employed when the hat to be operated upon is to be flanged to a shape having very decided curvature at the edge of the hat flange with the part underlying the flange disposed more nearly parallel to that part of the brim overlying the ange. With such a form it is impossible to cover the whole surface of the curled brim with a plain faced lowerV iron in conjunction with the upper iron. This difficulty is, however, fully removed when the modified form of lower iron is employed. p Y Having now described, the general con-V struction and the interrelation of the various parts of the present embodiment of my invention, its mode of operation will be brieiy outlined. Let it be supposed that the drive pulley clutch is in its Ainoperative position with the swing arm 78 thrown off at its D position, as seen in Fig. 1. The operator will place upon the hat block support26, a hat flanging block upon which a hat has been stretched, in the position shown in the figure. He will then lock the block in position by revolving the wheel 48 in the manner hereinbefore described. If `the electrical current has been turned von so as to `supply the heating units of the two flanging irons, they will be hot and ready for use. The collar 117 isnow turned to f-orce the clutch parts into interlockingrel'ation when the shaft 18 begins to rotate, causing the shaft 12 and the parts secured thereto to rotate at a slower rate, which rate depends upon therelative diameters of the bevel `gears 15 and 17. Grasping the handle 113 Vand lever V108, he releases the nut 107 from the feed screw and slides the carriage 83 forward to its innerfV most position,`releases the lever 108 to bring the nut Yinto operative relation withthe feed screw, then throws the swinging arm forward Yto the lposition shown in solid lines in Fig. 1,

with the weight arm leaning slightly back from a ,vertical position, thefrictional contact of the trigger finger 69 with the periphery of the segment 72 being sufficient to-retain the parts, as shown.

The hat block and hat are now turning about their vertical axis, together with the cam 13. The rotation of cam 13 immediatelyV starts the slow reciprocatory inovement of the table '92,.the carriage 83, the swinging arm 78, and the ianging irons 50 and 51, whereby the said irons are positively moved toward and away from the aXis of the hat in order that the irons may follow the contour` of the hat brim smoothly and with substantially' uniform pressure. Simultaneously, the feedl screw commences to lturn to feed the carriage 83 progressively in a rearward direction, carrying with it swinging arm and upper iron 50, the latter slowly making its traverse across the brim of the hat from head opening to outer edge. The lower iron does not,

however, follow this course of traverse, for, by reason of its link connections with the shaft supporting the weight arm 60, any tendency which it may have to draw away from the hat flanging block is offset by the gradual descent rearwardly of the said weight arm and consequent forward advancement of the lower iron. When the traverse has proceeded to the point shown in Fig. 2, the weight arm has descended to the position shown in that figure and the upper iron is about to fall or turn over the edge of the hat brim. At this point the lower iron must be dra-wn back out of the way so that the upper iron can tilt downwardly, as shown in Fig. 19. The operator at this stage in the operation of the appartus, grasps the weight lever and swings it forward to the position shown in Fig. 19, retracting the lower iron to the vposition shown in the same figure.

A little more rearward traverse, and the upper iron is drawn clear of the hat brim, the swinging arm comes to rest in contact with the stop 89 (Fig. 19), the abutment bolt 129 engages the crank 128 of the crank lever 126, and the lower crank 125, meeting the pin 124, oscillates the collar 117, to release the clutch members 119 and 120 and to stop the machine. The swing arm is now drawn back toits position D shown in broken lines Figure 1, and the apparatus is ready to receive another hat flange and hat.

It should here be explained that, because of the curvature of the hat brim, the irons bear thereon over very limited areas of con tact. In order that they may conform to the varying curvatures of these small areas of contact and at the same time accommodate themselves to the varying contour of the scope of the hat, both irons are pivoted to turn freely about their transverse axes, and both together turn with the clevis about its swivel connection with the swinging arm. The irons may also move up and down, by reason of the pivotal mounting of the swinging arm upon the carriage, and thus follow the changing curvatures of the brim due to its scope.

It should also be understood that it is not necessary to employ the lower iron in cases where the hat to be flanged is to have very little curl given to the brim. In such a case, the lower iron is retained in its retracted position throughout the entire Hanging operation, the upper iron operating alone in the same manner as has been described, when the lower iron co-operates with it to complete the Hanging of the underlying portion of the hat brim.

From the foregoing it will be seen that my invention marks an important achievement in the art from which many outstanding advantageous results accrue. Among these may be noted an economy of labor and a quantity of output not possible of attainment by the methods heretofore employed. The use of uniformly and continuously heated irons produces in itself a saving of time, for it was necessary frequently to reheat the sand bags formerly employed, and the simultaneous operations upon the upper and lower surfaces of the turned brim not only eliminate a manually performed stage in the process of flanging, but give far more uniform results. The machine of my invention, as herein described, is simple of construction, easily operated, and ruggedly built to withstand long usage. rIhus it will be seen that it is well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects of my invention.

As various embodiments might be made of this invention, and as various changes might be made in the construction herein described, all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, means' adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a peripheral flange over which the brim of a hat is tted, means for rotating said block supporting means, and an upper and a lower iron adapted respectively to operate on different portions of the same surface of the hat brim and positioned above and below the peripheral edge of said flange.

2. In a hat flanging machine, in combination, means adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a peripheral flange over which the brim of a hat is fitted, means for rotating said block supporting means, an upper and a lower iron adapted respectively to operate on different portions of the same surface of the hat brim and positioned above and below the peripheral edge of said flange, and means mounting said irons for movement toward and away from the axis of said block supporting means.

3. In a hat flanging machine, in combination, means adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a peripheral flange over which the brim of a hat is Fitted, means for rotatinfr said block supporting means, an upper and a lower iron adapted respectively to operate on different portions of the same surface of the hat brim and positioned above and below the peripheral edge of said flange, means mounting said irons for movement toward and away from the axis of said block supporting means, and means for giving to said mounting means a cont-rolled reciprocatory movement.

4L. In a hat Hanging machine, in combina- `upper tion,means adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a peripheral Hange over which the brim of a hat is Htted, means for rot-ating said block supporting means, an upper and a lower iron a-dapted respectively to operate on portions of the hat brim positioned above Vand below the peripheral ledge of said Hange, means mounting said irons for movement towar-d and away from'the Vaxis of said block supporting means, and means for feeding said mounting means away from the axis K of said block supporting means to cause said iron to traverse the brim of the hat. 5. In a hatHangingmachine, in combination, m-eans adapted to support a hat block,fa hat block having aA peripheral Hange over which the brim of a hatis fitted, means for rotating said block .supporting means, an upper and a lower iron adapted respectively to operate on` portions of the hat brim positioned above and below the peripheral edge of said Hange, means mounting said irons for movement toward and away from the aXis of said block supporting means, means for giving to said mounting means a controlled reciprocatory movement, and means for feeding said mounting means away from the axis of said block supporting means to cause said upper iron to traverse the brim of the hat.

6. In Vva hat Hanging machine, in combination, means ad-apted to support a hat block, a hat block having a supporting surface upon which the brim of a hat may rest, means for rotating said block supporting means, an iron adapted to operate on a part of the brim overlying said surface, and power driven means adapted to cause said iron to traverse said brim in one direction from the inner to the outer edge thereof, said means being operatively responsive to the'rotation of said block.

7. In a hat Hanging machine, incombination, means adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a supporting surface for the brim of a h-at, means for rotating said block supporting means, a `slidably mounted carriage, an arm pivotally mounted on said carriage and adapted to be swung into and out of operative position relative to-said hat block support, an iron pivotallymounte-d on said arm, and means for actuating said carriage to cause said iron to traverse a portion of said hat brim.

8. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, means adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a supporting surface for the'brim of a hat, means for rotating said block supporting means, a slidably mounted carriage, an arm pivotally mounted'on said carriage and adapted to be' swung into and out of operative position relative to said hat block support. an iron mounted on sai-d arm, a screw for feeding said carriage to cause said iron to traverse a portion of said hatv brim, and means operatively responsive to Vvthe brim offa hat, means for rotating said block supporting means,.a slidably mounted carriage, an arm pivotally mounted on said block, i4 i carriage and adapted to be swung into and out of operative position relative to said hat block support, an iron mounted on said arm, a slidably mounted table upon which said carriage is mounted, a feed screw rotatably mounted on said table, driving means for said screw, and means upon said carriagek meshing with said screw to move said carriage and torlimit the relative movement between sai-d carriage and tabl-e to movement resulting from said coaction. Y 1

' 10. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, means adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a supporting surface `for the brim of a hat, means for rotating said block supporting means, a slidably mounted carriage, an arm pivotally mounted on said carriage and adapted to be swung into and out of'operative position relative to said hat block support, an iron mounted on said arm.l

a slidably mounted table upon which said carri-ageis mounted, a feed screw rotatably mounted on said table, driving means for said screw, means upon said carriage meshing with said screw to move said carriage hat block having a supporting surface for theY vand to limit the relative movement between brim of a'hat, means for rotating said block 110 supporting means, a slidably mounted carriage, an arm pivotally mounted von said carriage and adapted to be swung into and out of operative position relative to said hat block support, an iron mounted on said arm, a slidably mounted table upon which said carriage is mounted, a feed screw rotatably mounted on said table, and means upon said carriage adapted to coact with said screw to move said carriage and to limit the relative movement between said carriage and table to Vmovement resulting from said coaction, said coacting means being manually movable into and out of engagement with said screw.

l2. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, a frame, a rotating hat'b-lock support mounted in said frame, an iron adapted to operate upon the brim of a hat carried by said block support, mounting means for said iron adapted'to impart thereto a straight line movement relative to said hat comprising two relatively movable members, one of which is movably mounted on said frame, a gear rotatably mounted on said frame, a gear meshing therewith and rotatable with said block support, a screw rotatably mounted on said one member and slidably mounted in said first gear, said screw being adapted to be rotated by said gear, and a nut mounted upon said other member adapted to lock said two members against relative movement and to cause progressive movement of said one member relative to said other member when said screw is rotated.

13. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, a frame, a rotating hat block support mounted in said frame, an iron adapted to operate upon the brim of a hat carried by said block support, mounting means for said iron adapted to impart thereto a straight line movement relative to said hat comprising two relatively movable members, one oi which is movably mounted on said frame, a gear rotatably mounted on said frame, a gear meshing therewith and rotatable with said block support, a screw rotatably mounted on said one member and slidably mounted in said first gear, said screw being adapted to be rotated by said gear, a nut mounted upon said other member adapted to lock said two members against relative movement and to Cause progressive movement of said one member relative to said other member when said screw is rotated, and means for disengaging said nut from said screw to permit free relative movement of said two members.

14. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, a frame, a rotating hat block support mounted in said frame, an iron adapted to operate upon the brim of a hat carried by said block support, mounting means for said iron adapted to impart thereto a straight line movement relative to said hat comprising two relatively movable members, one of which is movably mounted on said frame, a cam mounted upon and rotatable with said hat block support, releasable means for locking said movable members against relative movement, and cam-engaging means mounted upon one of said members adapted to be actuated by said cam to give to said two members a controlled reciprocatory motion.

15. In a hat Hangino' machine, in combination, a trame, a rotating hat block support mounted in said frame, an iron adapted to operate upon the brim of a hat carried by said block support, mounting means for said iron adapted to impart thereto a straight line movement relative to said hat comprising two relatively movable members, a gear rotatably mounted on said frame, a gear meshing therewith and rotatable with said block support, a screw rotatably mounted on said one member and slidably mounted in said first gear, said screw being adapted to be rotated by said gear, a nut mounted upon said other member adapted to lock said two members against relative movement and to cause progressive movement of said one member relative to said other member when said screw is rotated, a cam mounted upon and rotatable with said hat block support, and cam-engaging means mounted upon said one member and adapted to be actuated by said cam to give to said two members a controlled reciprocatory motion toward and away from said hat block support.

16. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, means having a surface upon which the brim of a hat may rest, a supporting member, an iron mounted upon said supporting member and adapted to operate on a portion of said hat brim, and a second iron positioned below said Hrst iron and mounted upon said supporting member to swing about a part thereof positioned above said Hrst iron.

17. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, means having a surface upon which the brim of a hat may rest, a supporting member, an iron mounted upon said supporting member and adapted to operate on a portion ot said hat brim, a second iron positioned below said first iron and mounted upon said supporting member to swing about a part thereof positioned above said first iron, and means adapt-cd to hold said second iron in operative engagement with said hat brim.

18. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, means having a surface upon which the brim of a hat may rest, a supporting member, an iron mounted upon said supporting member and adapted to operate on a portion of said hat brim, a second iron positioned below said first iron and mounted upon said supporting member to swing about a part thereof positioned above said Hrst iron, means adapted to hold said second iron in operative engagement with said hat brim, and means associated with said last means for withdrawing said second iron to an inoperative position.

19. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, a supporting member, a cle is mounted to swivel therein, and an iron pivotally mounted in said clevis to r ck about an axis disposed substantially at right angles to the swivel axis, the mass or" said iron at one side of its aXis being greater than the mass thereon upon the other side of said axis to produce a tendency in said iron to swing downwardly upon the said 011e side of the axis.

20. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, means having a surface upon which th brim ot a hat may rest, a supporting member, an iron mounted upon said supporting member and adapted to operate on a portion of said hat brim, a second iron positioned below said lirst iron and mounted upon said supporting member to swing about a part thereof positioned above said ,operative position,

first iron, and means for heating both ofsaid irons. Y fr V2l. In` a hatflanging machine, in combination, a supporting member, a clevis mounted to swivel thereon, an iron pivotally mounted in said clevis, a crank pivotally mounted vin said clevis, a second iron'suspended below said first iron from said crank, and a weight arm associated with said crank tending normally to lift said second irontoward said first iron.

22. In a hatV flanging machine, in-combination, a supporting member, a clevis mounted to swivel thereon, an iron 'pivotally mounted in said clevis, a crank pivotally mounted'in said clevis, a secondziron suspended below said first iron Vfrom .said crank, a weight arm associated with said crank tending normally to lift said second iron towardv said first iron, and means associated with said crank adapted, when saidweight arm is moved to a certainposition, to `move said second iron to an inoperative position.

23. In a hat flanging machine, in combination, a frame, means having a surface upon which the brim of a hat-may rest, a member slidably mounted on said frame, aswinging arm pivotally mounted on said member, adapted to swing toward or away from said block supporting means intooperative or ina clevis swivelled in said swinging arm, an iron pivotally mountedin said clevis, a pair of crank members pivotally mounted in said clevis at a point above and forwardly of said iron, a pairV of vlinks journaled upon said crank members and extending downwardly therefrom toa point below said iron, and a secondiron pivotally mounted between said links.`

24. In a hat flanging machine, in combination, a. frame, means forming a supporting surface for the brim; of a hat, a member slidably mounted on said frame, a swngingarm pivotally mounted on said member, adapted to swing toward or away from saidA block supporting means intoV operative or inoperative position, a clevis swiveled in said swingingarm, an iron pivotally mounted in said clevis, a pair ofl crank members pivotally mounted in said clevis at a point above and forwardly of said iron, a pair of links journaled upon said crank members and extending downwardly therefrom to ajpointbelow said iron, a second iron pivotally mounted between said links, anda weight arm secured tojsaid crank members normally tending to cause a rotative movement thereof to lift said second iron. 1

25. In a hat flanging machine, in combination, a frame, means forming a supporting surface for the brim of aV hat, a member slidably mounted on said frame, a swinging armv pivotally `mounted on said member, adapted to swing toward or away from said block supporting means into operative or inoperative position, a clevis swiveled inV said swinging arm, an iron pivotally mounted in saidclevis, a pair of crank members pivotally mounted in said clevis at a point Y above andforwardly of said iron, apair of links Journaled upon said crank members and extending downwardly,therefrom` to a ,point below said iron, a second iron pivotally mounted between said links, and means associated with said cranks adaptedjto engage the under sides of said links to force said second iron into an inoperative position.

2G. In a hat ianging machine, in-combination,a frame, means forminga supporting surface for the brim of a hat, a member slid- V'mounted in said clevis at a point above and forwardly of said iron, a pair of links journaled upon said crank -membersand extending downwardly therefrom to a point below said iron, a second iron pivotally` mounted-between said links, means associated with said cranks adapted to engage the under sides of said links to force said second iron into an inoperative position, and means for locking said parts in said inoperative position.

. '27. In a hat flanging machine, in'combination, a frame, means forming a supporting surface for the brim of a hat, a member slidably mounted on said frame, a swinging arm pivotally mounted on said member, adapted to swing toward or away from said block supporting means into operative or inoperative position, a clevis swiveled in said swinging arm, an iron pivotally mounted in said clevis, a pair of crank members pivotally mounted in said clevis at a point above and forwardly of said iron, a pair of links journaled upon said crank members and extending downwardlyv therefrom to a point below said iron, a second iron pivotally mounted between said links, and means adapted to limit the swiveling movement of said clevis.

28. In a hatlanging machine, in Vcombination, a frame, a member mounted on said frame to move along a straight line path, an arm mountedon said member'for .pivotal movement about an axis substantially at right angles to said straight line path,

an iron support mounted upon said arm for swiveling movement about an axis substantially parallel with said straight line path, and an iron mounted on said support for pivotal movement about an axis substantially at right angles to said straight line path.

29, Ina hatfflanging machine, in combination, a frame, a member mounted on 'said .frame to move along a straightline path, an

arm mounted on said member for pivotal.

movement about an axis substantially at iron support mounted upon said arm for sWiveling movement about an axis substantially parallel With said straight line path, and a pair of coacting irons each mounted upon said support for pivotal movement about an axis substantially at right angles to said straight line path.

30. In a hat Hanging machin-e, in combination, means adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a supporting surface upon which the brim of a hat may rest, an iron supporting member, a Hanging iron comprising a body portion adapted to be pivotally mounted upon said supporting member, a shoe member having a surface form adapted to operate on that part of the hat brim which underlies the peripheral edge of the Hanging block,

and means for holding said shoe member upon said body portion.

8l. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, means adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a supporting surface upon Which the brim of a hat may rest, an iron supporting member, a Hanging iron comprising a body portion adapted to be pivotally mounted upon said supporting member, a shoe member having a surface form adapted to operate on that part of the hat brim Which underlies the peripheral edge of the Hanging block, means for holding said shoe member upon said body portion, and an electrical heating unit removably mounted upon said body portion. 32. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, a hat block, means adapted to support said hat block, said block having a supporting surface over Which the brim of a hat may be fitted, means for rotating said supporting means, a supporting member, a clevis mounted on said supporti ng member, an iron pivotally mounted in said clevis, the mass of said iron on one side of the axis of said pivot being greater than the mass thereof upon the other side of said axis, and means for feeding said supporting member away from the axis of said block to cause said iron to traverse the brim of said hat.

38. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, a hat block support, a hat Hanging block adapted to rest on said support, a plurality of recesses in said block, pin levers pivotally connected to said support and extending above the upper surface thereof to register with and extend into said recesses Vwhen said block rests upon said support, and

a rotatable cam member mounted upon said support having its cam surface directly engaging said levers to force said levers into gripping engagement with said block.

34. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, means adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a peripheral Hange upon which the brim of a hat may be supported, means for rotating said block supporting means, an iron shaped to rest against the under side of said Hange, and means for supporting said iron against the under side of said Hange When said block is rotating.

35. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, means adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a peripheral Hange upon which the brim of a hat may be supported, means for rotating said block supporting means, an iron, means for supporting said iron against the under side of said Hange When said block is rotating, and reciprocating means for moving said iron to- Ward and avvay from the axis of said block supporting means.

36. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, means adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a peripheral Hange upon Which the brim of a hat may be supported, means for rotating said block supporting means, an iron, means for supporting the said iron against the under side of Said Hange, reciprocatingr means for moving said iron toward and away from the axis of said block supporting means, and means actuated in conformity with the oval of the hat for controlling the stroke of said reciprocating means.

37. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, means adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a peripheral Hange upon which the brim of a hat may be supported, means for rotating said block supporting means, an iron means for supporting said iron in an operating position on the top of said Hange, means adapted to cause said iron to traverse said brim from the inner to the outer edge thereof, a second iron operatively associated with said Hrst iron, and means for supporting said second iron in engagement With the under side of said Hange.

38. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, means adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a peripheral Hange upon Which the brim of a hat may be supported, means for rotating` said block supporting means, an iron, means for supporting said iron upon the upper side of said Hange, means adapted to cause said iron to traverse said brim from the inner to the outer edge thereof, a second iron, and means for supporting said second iron in an operative position in engagement With the under side of said Hange, said means being capable of holding said last-mentioned iron in engagement with said Hange during the traverse of Hrst-mentioned iron.

39. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, means adapted to support a hat block, a hat block having a peripheral Hange upon which the brim of a hat may be supported, meansfor rotating said block supporting means, an iron, means for supporting said iron on a part of the brim .overlying vsaid iange, means adapted to cause said viron .to traverse said brim fromy thel inner Vbrim resting on the under side of said flange during the traverse of said first-mentioned iron, and means adapted to disengage said second-mentioned iron from said brim during the traverse of said first-mentioned iron.

40. In a hat iianging machine, in combination, means adapted to sup rt a hat block, a hat block having a perip eral flange upon which the brim of a. hat may be supported, means porting means, an iron, means for supporting said iron on a part of the brim overlying said flange, means adapted to cause said iron to traverse said brim from the inner to the outer edge thereof, a second iron, means for holding said secondiron in operative engagement with a portion of the brim resting on the under side of said flange during the traverse of said first-mentioned iron, means adapted to disengage said second-inentioned iron from said. brim during the traverse of said first-mentioned iron, and means for giving both of said irons a controlled -reciprocatory movement towards and away from the axis of the block supporting means.

41. In a hat iianging machine, in combination, a supporting member, a member mounted to swivel thereon, and an iron pivotally Vmounted upon said last-mentioned member on an axis substantially at right angles to the axis. of said swivel tending normally to swing .downwardly upon one side of its pivotal axis.

42. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, a hat block support, a hat langing block adapted to rest on said support, a plurality of recesses in said block, piny levers pivotally connected to said support, the portions of said pin levers on one side of said-pivotal connections extending labove the upper surface of said support to register` with and extend into said recesses when said block rest-s upon said support, and a rotatable cam member mounted upon said support and adapted to be turned to press against the portions of said levers on the other side of the said pivotal connections from said first-mentioned portions to force said levers into gripping engagement with said block.

43. In ahat flanging machine, in combination, rotatable means forming a support for the brim of a hat, an iron adapted to operate on one portion of said brim, an iron adapted to operate on another portion of said brim, means for reciprocating both of said axis of said supporting means when said supor rotating said block supposition. irons in directions toward and away from the porting means is rotating,

and means -for gradually feeding said first-mentioned iron away fromthe axis of said supporting means independently of said second-mentioned iron.

44. In a hat fianging machine, incombination, rotatable means forming a support for the brim of a hat, an iron adapted to operate to operate on another portionof said-brim,

Vmeans for reciprocating both of said irons in i directions toward and away from the axis of said supporting means when said su porting -means is rotating, means for gradua 1y feeding said first-mentioned iron away from the -axis ofsaid supporting means, and meansfor holding said second-mentioned iron in contact with said second-mentioned portion of said brim during the operation of said lastmentioned means.

vmentioned means for feeding said Carriage in a Vdirection away from the axis of said supporting means. i V v46. In a-.hat ianging machine, in combination, means formingv a supporting surface for the brim of a hat, `means for rotating said supporting means, a slidably mounted carir'on pivotally mounted on said arm, means operatively related to said second-mentioned eans for feeding said carriage in a direction away from'the axis of said supporting means, and meansfor Vstopping the action of said last-mentioned means when said last-men- Vtioned means reaches acertain position.

. 47. In ahat iianging machine, in combinaftion, al supportingmember, a clevis associated with said supporting member,anv iron pivotally mountedin said clevis,crank means pivotally mounted in said clevis, a secondiron suspended below said first iron from said crank means, and meansassociated with Vsaid .crank means tending normally to lift saidsecond-mentioned iron substantially ,toward saidfirst-mentioned iron. v y

48. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, a supporting member, a clevis associated. with said supporting member, an iron pivotally mounted in said clevis, crankineans pivotally mounted in said clevis,fa second iron suspended below Vsaid-first iron from said crank means, and means associated with said crank means adapted vto lift saidsecond iron toward saidirst iron wheninvone position and adapted to move said second iron toi an inoperative position when in lanother 49. ,In` a hat Hanging machine, in combination, a supporting member, a clevis mounton one portion 'of said brim, an iron adapted 45. Ina hatglanging machine, in combina-V 555 Vriage, an arm mounted onsaidcairiage, an Y ed on said supporting member, an iron pivotment with the under side of said flange or out ally mounted in said clevis, the mass of said of engagement therewith.

iron at one side of its axis being greater than x In testimony whereof, I have signed m the mass thereon upon the other side of said name to this specification this 5th day of 5 axis, crank means mounted on said clevis, April, 1929. 70

and a second iron suspended below said irst STEPHEN J. MILLER. iron fromsaid crank means.

50. In a hat langing machine, in combil nation, a frame, means forming a supporting surface for the brim of a hat, a member 75 slidably mounted on said frame, a clevis secured to said member, an iron pivotally mounted in said clevis and adapted to engage one portion of said brim, crank means associated with said clevis, a second iron 80 supported by said crank means, and means adapted to hold said second iron in engagement with another portion of the brim of said hat. 51. In a hat Hanging machine, in combi- 85 nation, a frame, means forming a supporting surface for the brim of a hat, a member slida-bly mounted on said frame, a clevis secured to said member, an iron pivotally mounted in said clevis and adapted to en- 90 gage one portion of said brim, crank means associated with said clevis, a second iron supported by said crank means, and means operatively associated with said crank means adapted to hold said second-mentioned iron 95 against another portion of said brim when in one position and adapted to hold said second-mentioned iron out of engagement with said brim when in another position.

52. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, a frame. a hat block having an annular peripheral flange and supporting surface over which the brim of a hat may be fitted, rotatable means for holding said hat block, a member capable of relative motion with respect to said frame, a swinging arm pivotally mounted on said member and adapted to swing toward or away from said hat block into operative or inoperative positions, a clevis secured to said arm, an iron 110 mounted in said clevis, a second iro-n, crank means secured to said clevis and adapted to support said second iron, and means for holding said second iron against substantially the under side of said flange.

53. In a hat Hanging machine, in combination, a frame, a hat block having an annular peripheral flange and supporting surface over which the brim of a hat may be litted, rotatable means for holding said hat block, a member capable of relative motion with respect to said frame, a swinging arm pivotally mounted on said member and adapted to swing toward or away from said hat block into operative or inoperative positions, a clevis secured to said arm, an iron mounted in said clevis, a second iron, crank means secured to said clevis andA adapted to support said second iron, and means for holding v said second-mentioned iron either in engage- 130 

